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GOHEAVY.COM Olympic Weightlifting Forum
A few notes from National Junior Champs... *LINK*
Posted By: Matt Foreman (66-53-79-216.phnx.mdsg-pacwest.com)
Date: Tuesday, March 13, 2007, @ 12:19 a.m.
I got back from Merrillville today and here are some observations and brilliant insights:
- First, and most importantly, the meet hotel has a new Irish pub in the lobby. Great food and they serve $2 pints of Guinness on Friday nights. I lifted in this hotel in the 2004 Senior Nationals, but the pub wasn't there back then. It's like it was God's will... Now, on to the other stuff (weightlifting):
- The Johnson kid looked terrific at 69. I missed his snatches, but I saw all the C&Js. 150 and 155 were extremely easy. 159 was a very strong clean with a narrow miss in the jerk. And his jerks are push jerks, very shallow in the catch. Not a ton of muscle on his frame, but he's pretty damn snappy. I could see him hitting 165 very soon.
- Tremendous competition in the 85s, although the totals were down significantly from previous years. It came down to the last few C&Js to determine who won gold, silver, and bronze. I was remarking that Danny Schlag has competed in this class the last few years and always placed around 3rd or 4th with 285 totals because he was up against guys like Kendrick, Norik, and every other tough 85 in the US. Now, 250something wins it! Congrats to my Calpian teammate Dave Reif on winning bronze.
- Moser looked very powerful in the 105s. His 201 was a slow deadlift, but he's definitely good for more than 180. The 201 might not be too far away and I wish him luck getting it. There was a kid in this class who did 117/170 and almost made 175. Very rough technique, especially in the jerk where he barely bends his knees in the dip, but some serious strength on this one.
- Swart got very good lifts. He looked more muscular and stronger than last year, and I think he can do much more than 336 in the near future. 153 was his third attempt snatch and he could have done 155. He's a 160/190 guy as soon as he weights about 122. Ito looked the best I've seen him in getting 145/185. He ripped 150 pretty hard and it came down behind him. Then he cleaned 191 with authority and missed the jerk behind. I think he could do 150/195 at Jr Worlds if he makes the team.
How things have changed over the last few years. I don't think I saw a Team Savannah lifter at the competition (might be wrong, I didn't see the whole meet). And you're seeing a lot of kids from new teams with names like "Hassle Free Weightlifting Team," which was my favorite team name of the weekend. I joked that maybe I'll start a team and call it "Get the %$#! out of my face Weightlifting Club."
That's about it. Congrats and thanks to Frank and the Midwest crew for doing another national meet, and much respect to all the competitors and coaches who mixed it up.
21m stand throws from the 1980s
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